Although she is sometimes treated as an uninvited guest, she hides much more than it might seem at first glance. This inconspicuous plant has been used for years not only in the kitchen, but also in home health care methods. It is worth taking a closer look at it, because what we often remove from the garden may turn out to be a real treasure of nature.
Right now, in early spring, when other wild plants are just starting to sprout, a certain plant appears that is often considered a weed. However, it turns out that it is one of the first edible plants that we can harvest already in February. We are talking about the common chickweed, which creates dense, green carpets in flower beds and lawns, covering the ground in gardens and fields.
We can recognize this specimen by its delicate, white flowers that resemble small stars. In addition, the plant’s stems are slightly hairy, and the fiber inside the stems does not break when broken because it is flexible. Chickweed is an edible and safe plant, as long as we keep it in moderation.
As with many wild plants, this specimen should not be eaten in too large quantities. It is also worth being careful when collecting chickweed so as not to confuse it with other similar species. So before we take advantage of this gift of natureyou should examine the plant carefully and make sure that you are dealing with chickweed.
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Common chickweed has a delicate flavor that may be associated with green peas. Thanks to this, it does not dominate the dishes and can be a tasty addition. We can use it, among other things, to diversify sandwiches, soups or cocktails. However, remember that cooking it reduces the amount of nutrients, and chickweed has the most value when eaten fresh and consumed without heat treatment.
It then abounds in vitamin C, provitamin A, as well as iron, magnesium, potassium and calcium. Additionally, it contains saponins and mucous substances. Therefore, it is a great addition to the diet that can provide us with many valuable ingredients.
What’s more, we can grow chickweed ourselves at home by sowing its seeds in a box with soil. After 4-6 weeks we will collect the first shoots. It thrives on the balcony from March to October, and at home most of the year, as long as we provide it with access to light.
